BROKEN LOVE FROM THE CRESCENT MOON

Ava trudged wearily through the dense woods, her bow slung over her shoulder and a heavy pouch of freshly caught game hanging from her belt. The journey back from her hunting expedition in the mountains had been long and arduous, but she felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that she had provided sustenance for herself and the old woman she had come to call family. As Ava approached the small cottage nestled deep within the woods, she noticed an eerie silence that hung in the air. Normally, the cottage would be filled with the cheerful sounds of laughter and the playful giggles of her triplets. But today, there was nothing. A feeling of dread washed over her as she pushed open the creaking door, her heart pounding in her chest. "Ama?" Ava called out for the old woman, her voice filled with anxiety. "Where are you, Ama?" There was no response. The silence was oppressive, suffocating. Ava's eyes darted around the cottage, searching for any sign of life. And then, she saw her. Ama lay motionless on the floor, her frail body still and pale. Ava rushed to her side, tears welling up in her eyes. "No... Ama! What happened? Who did this to you? Where are the triplets?" Ava's voice trembled with grief and anger. Suddenly, a realization hit her like a thunderbolt. "The triplets!" Her heart sank as panic seized her. She remembered the tales of kidnappings that plagued the nearby villages. Had they taken her beloved children and hurt Ama? Ava rushed straight to the room which belonged to the triplets, she pushed the door opened calling out for her kids. "Babies! Where are you?? Mama is back!" Tears streaming down from her eyes. Dread washed down her mind when she heard no cry nor sound, "babies, where are you?? You're scaring mama, mama will cry!" She said, already in tears. She haven't imagined something like that before, so right now, she didn't know what to think, neither did she know what to do. "I don't know anyone here, I don't think I've offended anyone before in my life except the ones that offended me. I am always on my lane, I made sure to keep to myself and I hid my babies well, away from everyone's eyes. I made sure no one knew about them, not even their father, so who can think of k********g them away from me? Who did I offended? Where can my triplets be? Have they eaten? Are they crying? I'm sure they are missing me right now! They are only a year and a half for Christ's sake! They are just too young to be in this kind of situation." Ava cried in confusion. "Why?" She muttered. Ava stood up and wiped away her tears after a while, she realized that crying could not bring back her children, she had to take a step in searching for them, who knows, the kidnappers might still be close by. "I have to find my triplets, no matter the cost. I have to bring them back home. Right here, back to where they belong, right here on my chest." She walked back to where Ama's body laid, glanced at her lifeless form one last time with a vow forming in her mind. "I promise you, Ama, all your works and energy to ensure my safety and that of my children will not go in vain on them. I will find them. I will bring them back. I won't rest until they are safe! And then, they will make you proud!" She vowed. Determined, Ava set out into the woods, following her assumed trail left behind by the kidnappers. She was on her way, in the deepest part of the woods, searching endlessly. She had concluded that if she can't find anything that'll lead her to her children in the place she was, then, that means she haven't started her adventures to find her children yet. Ava walked for a little more while and was relieved to see a man. The man was sitting down on a rock, which faced a stream. Ava was breathless, "Excuse me, sir! Have you seen anyone pass through here?" "You don't have any right to ask me that question. Leave right now! I'm not in the mood for chitchat." The man told her without sparing her a glance. Ava lost guard and bursted into tears, the man was forced to turn back to her. She knew that no responsible man will like to see a woman cry, so she used that code on him. "I'm searching for my triplets. They were taken from our cottage, away from me!" She declared. Eli, the man gazed at Ava with a mix of sympathy and concern. "Triplets, you say? That's a terrible thing to happen. I haven't seen anyone suspicious, but I can help you. Let's search together." He offered. "I'm Eli by the way." Ava was relieved and grateful, "Thank you, Eli. I fear for their safety. I can't bear the thought of them being in harm's way." Eli placed a comforting hand on Ava's shoulder. "We'll find them, Ava. I've seen my fair share of dangers in these woods. We must tread carefully and follow any signs we come across." Ava nodded, "Yes, we must. They are my world, Eli. I will do whatever it takes to bring them back home safely." As Ava and Eli ventured deeper into the woods, their search intensified. They encountered various obstacles along the way, but their determination remained unwavering. "Are you sure they are closed by??" Eli questioned Ava, already in doubt. "I don't have any idea of their whereabouts Eli, I only know that I must find them. They are my main and only priority, I have no idea of where they can be but I know that they can't be that far from here." She sighed, "or just so I thought." She muttered the last part in her mind. "They aren't close by, they are far gone." Eli muttered, being quick to find out the glaring reality. "No! That can't be. My kids are just a feat away. All we have to do is to go get them!" Eli stopped walking. "I'm sorry but not so sorry, If you want to go get them as they are a feat away as you've noticed, then go get them and don't trouble me!" "I'm sorry, I don't mean to get you angry." Ava apologized. "But you did! Do continue the search alone." He said and walked away leaving Ava helpless and as well stranded.